“Little Bear,” said Mother Bear. “Yes, Mother,” said Little Bear. “You are not asleep,” said Mother Bear. “No, Mother,” said Little Bear. “I can’t sleep.” “Why not?” said Mother Bear. “I’m wishing,” said Little Bear. “What are you wishing for?” said Mother Bear. “I wish that I could sit on a cloud and fly all around,” said Little Bear. “You can’t have that wish, my Little Bear,” said Mother Bear. (51, 52)
–Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik
This story continues, with Little Bear wishing for all kinds of things, from a tunnel to China, to a Viking boat; with Mother Bear patiently answering, “you can’t have that wish, my Little Bear.” It goes on, until Little Bear’s last wish is something his Mother can finally give:
“Then I wish,” said Little Bear, “a Mother Bear would come to me and say, ‘Would you like to hear a story?'” “Well,” said Mother Bear, “maybe you can have that wish. That is just a little wish.” (57)
Oh, but you are mistaken, Mother Bear.
That is no small wish.
Just one year ago today, I stood under the same roof with three-hundred children who have no mother to tell them stories at night.
Today I’m thankful for a family, a home, and that God has given us this ability to open the doors of our home!
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took me in.”
-Matthew 25:35
